This is an extraordinary tale of over 2600 years ago, of a Prince who is endowed with everything he needs and more. Luxury, palaces and all heart’s desires, are provided to him by his father, a warrior King of the kingdom of Shakya. The story unfolds dramatically with the Prince leaving all his luxuries and possessions as well as his new born son and loving wife, caring parents, to an unknown journey of finding the end to human sorrow and suffering.

The Prince, born auspiciously, is named Siddhartha, meaning; the one who fulfills his aim. Brahmins and Seers predict the Prince to be a Universal Monarch; yet highly respected Sage Asita and Brahmin Kondanna predicts firmly, to the King’s disappointment, that the Prince will leave all his worldly possessions and attain enlightenment.

At a tender age, the Prince is enticed into marriage, with beautiful Princess Yashodhara; in spite of the Prince giving a list of qualities which are almost impossible to find as his perfect match. King Suddhodhana strategically appoints the Prince as Yuvraj (deputy to the King), to further tie him down to worldly life.

Prince Siddhartha and Princess Yashodhara fall deeply in love and enjoy life happily for several years. In spite of this bond, Siddhartha is in search for the truth which he finds difficult to discover within the luxury of the palace walls.

During brief tours of duty around the kingdom, he witnesses the life of commoners and is confronted with the harsh reality of life. He decides to leave his kingdom to seek the truth. After fulfilling his dear wife’s wish of having a child as to keep her from loneliness, Siddhartha leaves the palace into the unknown, to become an ascetic.

Deep in the wilderness away from all royal comforts, Ascetic Siddhartha goes through many challenges in his search. He elevates his intellect with the interaction with Sages and Brahmins during his spiritual journey, but is unable to reach his goal of finding the end to human suffering. Having experienced austerities, his near-death experience makes him realize that the extremes are not the answer to his quest.

Ultimately, discovering that the middle path is the only way to end worldly suffering, Ascetic Siddhartha attains supreme enlightenment, becoming the Buddha.

Description

as by information supplied by The Light of Asia Foundation of Sri Lanka

“Sri Siddhartha Gautama”, an epic film based on the life story of Prince Siddhartha, from his birth up to his enlightenment is the latest project of The Light of Asia Foundation of Sri Lanka.

The film attempts to chronicle the heart wrenching and mind challenging story that lies at the centerpiece of the Buddhist faith, through an emotional and humane lense. Given the internationally diverse star studded cast and direction, it seems that Sri Lanka, one home of Terravada Buddhism, will be the first in the world to turn this story into a production of such magnitude. Utilizing elaborate sets, exquisite locations within Sri Lanka and an authentic script approved by the supreme council of the MahaSangha, this film may lie on the brink of creating history. We are looking forward to this pioneering attempt at an accurate and sensitive cinematic portrayal of Prince Siddhartha’s story of love, courage and compassion.

The movie is produced by Navin Guneratne chairman of The Light of Asia Foundation and Mr. Jeff Goonewardena, former consul general of Sri Lanka to Los Angeles, Venezuela and Colombia as well as prominent hotelier. The main actors and actresses list include Gagan Malik(India), Anchal Singh(India), Ranjan Ramanayake (Sri Lanka), Anjani Perera(USA), Gautam Gulati(India), Roshan Ranawana (Sri Lanka), Saranga Disasekara( Sri Lanka), Dilhani Perera (USA), and Wilson Gooneratne (Sri Lanka). The film is directed by Saman Weeraman, while the renowned film maker Chandran Rutnam is acting as the main advisor to the entire production. The film is scheduled for release in October 2012.